362 MANDARIN’S LETTER. [Cuar. XIX. 
to Shanghae, and met with a breeze at sea, when 
the vessel drifted to Chapoo ; that the local officers 
in Chekiang then protected and sent them on 
along the coast, and that they are living at the 
Ming-le Warehouse. I would, therefore, trouble the 
honourable Consul to make inquiry of what ship he 
is the merchant, and let me know. This is written 
wishing you daily happiness.” 
“(True Translation.) (Signed) W. H. Mepuurst, 
“ Interpreter.” 
When I perused this document I could not but 
admire the cunning of the old man. He knew per- 
fectly well that it did not contain one word of 
truth: that I was not coming from Tinghae, but 
from Ningpo; that I met with no breeze at sea 
except that which had quietly brought us to the 
desired port; and, lastly, that I had not been sent 
along the coast, but had had a very pleasant 
journey through the interior of the country. 
saw at once that the object of the good old Taoutae 
was to allow me to deny the truth of his statements ; 
and, upon the principle that no man is bound to 
criminate himself, I sent the following answer to 
Her Majesty’s Consul, which was doubtless perfectly 
satisfactory to the Taoutae, and just what he 
wanted : — 
“‘ Sir —I have the honour to acknowledge the 
receipt of a letter from you of yesterday’s date, to 
which is annexed a translation of a note you had 
received from the Taoutae of Shanghae, concerning 
